How and why would you key the crank on an LS1? It seems the motor I bought has a key on the snout. (not the oil pump key! another one.) Can I just pop this key out and put my pully on since it is internally balanced or will this hurt it?

 

The LS1 crank is not keyed where the balancer/pulley attaches. The balancer is pressed on. Thats ok for normal use, however, the folks that have a supercharger have found that the balancer/pulley will sometimes rotate on the crank end if the crank is not keyed.

If you not running a SC, it's not necessary to cut a keyway in the crank and balancer.

Ron,

 

I am saying that there is already a key on my crank, and is it ok to just pop it out? sorry for the confusion

 

The only key on your crank is the key that attaches the crank timing gear.

If you have a keyway that extends all the way out to the balancer, someone has modified it.

 

Whoever had the motor before you must have had a blower on it. Just pull the pulley the way you normally would, then put your pulley on without the key if you're not going to supercharge it.